Took the car for a quick ride to fill the tank and inflate the tires—the first time on the road in over a year. After sitting idling for a bit I pulled out again and POOF went one of the power steering hoses... seriously screwing up my nice, clean engine compartment. I pulled in leaving a nice trail of oil & smoke around my cul-de-sac and into my garage. My own fault. Never even occurred to me since this wasn't a rebuild, just a refurb and they were the original 39-year-old hoses. Feel like a real DA:clonk:.

I can replace the hoses, clean up the mess, but I am a little concerned: is there another potential cause for this to happen other than just an old hose whose time had come?

No other symptoms. 69SS-RS 350/300 auto, air, pb, "ps."

Any hints on the easiest way to fix this are also appreciated.

Most likely the issue was the hose itself.

Was it the pressure hose or the one that clamps to the back of the pump?

Just father time... taking his toll.

capt

I am just curious. Where exactly did the hose leak? The highest stress point in the rubber is right next to the crimp fittings. Did it leak there? The next probable place would be in the hose rubber itself right next to a heat source such as an exhaust manifold. Any tight kinks in the rubber, etc? Hose rubbing on something?
Jim

Thanks guys. It was the high-pressure hose. Blew a hole right in the middle, not near the ends or headers or anything. Just a nice 1/2 inch hole. I wonder if it had been bulging or anything...had...I...just...thought...to...look :clonk:

Get new hoses. Clamp 'em up good and your good for another 39 years!

By the way, now would be a good time to check ALL of your other hoses, belts, etc.;)

Yep. They get old, they deteriorate, they fail.

Yep. They get old, they deteriorate, they fail.



l:).........sounds like an advertisement for bladder control medication.

Do you guys think it's be easier to work on the pump in place, under the AC compressor? or should I detach the two hoses at the steering box, and remove the pump and hoses all together, work on them while out of the car and reverse the process?

just take the lines out with everything in place. the trickiest part will probably be getting the fitting on the back of the pump to break loose without spinning the fitting in the back of the pump. but it is doable.

Yes I had the same problem. My high pressure hose blew power steering fluid on the headers and caught on fire. It happened in the driveway after a long drive. And it was after I just got it back on the raod after 3 years. Luckily it only burnt the plug wires and holders.